Chelsea take transfer-ban appeal to Cas

Chelsea have taken their appeal against a transfer ban imposed by Fifa to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, it has been confirmed.

Fifa have banned the Blues from signing players during the next two transfer windows and rejected the club’s recent appeal against the decision.

The ban followed an investigation into Chelsea’s signing of foreign under-18 players.

Cas say “it is not possible” to say when it will make a decision. This summer’s transfer window closes on 8 August.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have agreed a deal with Real Madrid for Eden Hazard to join the Spanish club.

Hazard, 28, is set to leave Stamford Bridge after seven years with the Blues.

Real will pay an initial £88m for the Belgian, with further payments likely to take the fee towards the £100m mark.

Hazard has a year of his contract remaining and made it clear he wanted to make the move to Real.

He confirmed after Chelsea’s recent Europa League triumph against Arsenal that he expected to leave.

“I told (Chelsea) my decision already,” Hazard said. “I told Chelsea two weeks ago and now it depends on the club. It depends on both the clubs.

“You will know in a couple of days. I think it’s goodbye, but in football you never know.

“My dream was to play in the Premier League and I have for seven years. Now maybe it’s time for a new challenge.”